Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many and what percentage of women sentenced to custody in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025 received sentences of six months and fewer.

Latest Criminal Justice Statistics data published to the end of June 2025 shows that for female defendants aged 18 or over:

• In 2023, 3,268 women received a custodial sentence of six months or less, representing 68% of all female custodial sentences.

• In 2024, 4,078 women received a custodial sentence of six months or less, representing 71% of all female custodial sentences.

• Between January and June 2025, 2,199 women received a custodial sentence of six months or less, representing 71% of all female custodial sentences during this period.

*Please note: The most recent published sentencing data is available up to June 2025.